News 15:00

BULLETIN 11 September 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Bafana Mahungela is found guilty of murdering Kirsten Kluyts
# The Matlala SAPS tender fraud case is postponed for the possible joining with his co-accused
# And rugby: Ambassador Meyer says the Springboks – All Blacks clash highlights sports diplomacy

# The High Court in Johannesburg has found Bafana Mahungela guilty of murdering Delta Park High School teacher Kirsten Kluyts during a MyRun event in Parkmore, Sandton, in October 2023. Mahungela was also convicted of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted rape and defeating the ends of justice. Judge Ian Cox said the State had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, rejecting Mahungela’s version of events. The matter heads now for pre-sentencing procedures:

# The 228-million-rand SAPS tender fraud case against businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his two companies has been postponed to September 25 in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. Investigating Directorate spokesperson Henry Mamothame says the postponement will ensure Matlala is present when the matter returns to the Pretoria Regional Court. Matlala was previously separated from the main case over a proposed plea and sentence agreement, which he abandoned:

# Police and prisons union POPCRU says union federation COSATU’s 15th national congress next week must reaffirm that working-class unity is sacrosanct. The theme is, “Building a militant, revolutionary labour movement and strengthening anti-imperialist working-class unity to defend jobs and advance socialism”. POPCRU’s spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo, says the congress must equally confront the cost-of-living crisis, as workers cannot continue to experience wage erosion while the prices of food and other necessities continue to rise:

# The Garden Route District Municipality is urging residents to report any food products they believe may be unsafe for human consumption at spaza shops, supermarkets, food outlets or other food-handling premises. National environmental health standards provide for inspections at least once every three months for high-risk food premises, once every six months for moderate-risk premises and once every 12 months for low-risk premises. The municipality’s spokesperson, Herman Pieters, says importantly, inspections are not limited to routine visits:

# Rugby: South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Roelf Meyer, says tomorrow’s Springboks-All Blacks clash in Baltimore demonstrates sports diplomacy at its best. The fourth and final Test in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series comes as South Africa leads 2-1 after losing the opening Test, which helped sharpen the team’s mindset, and they want a decisive victory over New Zealand. Meyer says the Boks’ presence has generated excitement in the US, which will host the 2031 World Cup.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-14-cents and the euro at 18-rand-71-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-80-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-867-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-338-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….